Chapter 103 Ms. Smith, Mr. Brown Invites You
The tension in the living room was thick enough to cut with a knife.
William stared at Thalia, completely at a loss for words.
Chase sat across from them, trying to get a word in but getting shut down every time by Thalia.
"Hey, Mr. Smith, aren't you gonna leave?" Thalia’s casual tone was a not-so-subtle hint for Chase to scram.
Thalia didn’t care about appearances, but Chase did. He knew that without William’s backing, he was toast.
"Shouldn't you be the one leaving?"
Thalia raised an eyebrow. "What’s that supposed to mean? Are you two really together?"
"What’s the matter, Chase? Swing both ways now?"
"Thalia, do you think provoking me will help? What right do you have to make me leave? Even if you and Mr. Brown have something going on, so what? You’re not married to him. The law doesn’t give you the right to kick me out. And this isn’t your house. Mr. Brown hasn’t said anything, so why are you in such a rush? Or are you afraid I’ll discover some secret if I stick around?"
Who’s been coaching Chase?
Otherwise, with his usual smarts, how could he be so shameless?
A good man, losing his dignity was one thing, but losing his pride too?
"Thalia’s here too?" Elizabeth emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray of fruit, smiling as she greeted her.
Thalia glanced around, feeling like she had stepped into the Smith Villa.
"Did I walk into the wrong house?"
Elizabeth chuckled. "What are you talking about? Mr. Brown's place is something we couldn’t afford even if we worked another 20 years."
William’s long fingers rubbed the edge of his coffee cup. Why did he feel like his home had turned into the Smith Villa?
Thalia and Elizabeth chatted away like they owned the place.
"Finn," William set down his cup and called out.
"Mr. Brown."
William spoke firmly, "Show them out."
Thalia: ……..
Chase was taken aback. "Mr. Brown."
He had been sitting here for so long without getting to the main issue, and now he was being asked to leave?
Chase looked at Thalia, who shrugged nonchalantly.
Getting kicked out didn’t bother her; if William didn’t agree with her, he certainly wouldn’t agree with Chase.
Thalia stood up, dusted off her skirt, and looked down at Chase, who was still trying to hold his ground on the couch. "Let’s go, Chase. They’re kicking us out. Have some dignity."
"Shut up," Chase snapped, his anger flaring.
He glared at Thalia with a hint of menace.
Thalia was unfazed. Let him yell; it wouldn’t hurt her.
"Mr. Brown..."
"John," Thalia called out to the bodyguard at the door, cutting off Chase.
John entered, surveying the room. "Ms. Smith."
"I see Mr. Smith brought all these gifts. Let’s help him carry them back to his car."
Bringing gifts to curry favor? Let’s throw them all out.
Chase was stunned.
Elizabeth looked at Thalia in amazement, suddenly captivated by her assertiveness.
"Understood."
John glanced at Chase, nodded, and went to get more people.
"Thalia, what’s the meaning of this?" Chase charged at Thalia.
As Chase was about to reach her, Thalia placed a hand on his shoulder and said in a strained voice, “Chase, you really wanna start a fight here? Mr. Brown’s not a fan of violence, and we’re near the university; word travels fast around here.”
As she spoke, she caught sight of John. “Hey, take off your shoes before you come in. Don’t dirty the floor.”
Soon, John and his crew came in and removed all the gifts Chase had brought to win William over.
“Chase, go home!”
Thalia was ready to leave and had to take Chase with her. Leaving him here would keep her up all night.
……….
“William,” Harper had never witnessed such a dramatic scene before.
When the living room finally calmed down, she hesitated for a long time before nervously calling out to William.
“I’m worried they might start fighting in the yard.”
William sighed, feeling a headache coming on.
Just as he was about to say something, Amara spoke up, almost pleading, “William, maybe you should just agree to be with Thalia. Look at what you’ve driven her to. She’s come to our house to argue.”
William: ……..
Vaughn was silent for a long time before asking, “Did you have a sexual relationship with her?”
William’s back stiffened. Vaughn was always conservative and principled, unable to accept any improper relationships.
Thalia’s earlier words had made him ponder deeply before he finally asked William.
Amara glanced at William, seeking his reaction.
“Dad, I’ll go check outside,” William found an excuse to leave.
“William, as a man, I don’t expect you to be extraordinary, but at the very least, you must be responsible.”
William: ……..
……….
Outside, Thalia stood with her arms crossed, watching Chase. The security teams they had brought were silently facing off, making the scene look like a standoff between rival gangs.
Finn approached, looking at the nearly brawling Chase and Thalia. “Mr. Brown asked me to escort you two out. Please.”
Thalia scoffed, glanced at Chase, and got into the van.
Seeing this, Chase wanted to turn back and make another attempt, but Finn’s expression changed, and he pointed to the car. “Mr. Smith, please.”
In the van, Thalia took a sip from her thermos. Isla clutched her chest. “That scared me. I thought you two were going to fight.”
Thalia smiled. “Chase doesn’t have the guts.”
“By the way, how did you know Chase was looking for Mr. Brown?”
Thalia glanced at Isla. “Sweetie, the more you know, the quicker you die. I advise you not to ask.”
Isla muttered, “You don’t say that when you have me do illegal things.”
On the way back, their car was blocked.
An abrupt stop sent Thalia’s thermos flying.
She cursed.
She lifted her now-wet skirt, feeling the burn from the hot water.
“What’s going on?”
Thalia looked out the window to see Finn approaching and tapping on the glass. “Ms. Smith, Mr. Vaughn Brown requests your presence.”